Xuzhou Council and the Wives' Hair-Pulling War
While in Xuzhou for business on auspicious and inauspicious fortunes, Kim Gong and Guan Yu attended the province's monthly council meeting.
It was, in a word, a gathering of Xuzhou's officials and clan leaders every month.
It used to be all haphazard back in the day. Now, as Xuzhou's governor, Liu Bei held these meetings monthly to set plans for the coming month.
"Ah, Kim Gong. And Yun Chang. You've worked hard."
Liu Bei greeted me with a smile.
He looks awfully comfortable in the role. Did the position change the man? Or had Liu Bei finally awakened his talents? He was now governing the bureaucrats quite adeptly.
The meeting included reports on Xuzhou's situation.
Not great. In its heyday, Xuzhou would have minted money with a snap of the fingers, but now it was ruins ravaged by Cao Cao. Harvests were only about 40% of peak production. They were in the red, but Mi Zhu's military funds covered it.
Still, this level of recovery was encouraging. It used to be just 20%, and Liu Bei had somehow patched it together. Local sentiment wasn't bad, and the clans accepted Liu Bei as governor.
"We've dealt with Yuan Shu's spies in Xiaopei. Intercepted letters trying to lure Lu Bu into attacking us." I gave a rough rundown of events and handed Liu Bei the documents from the spies.
Where Mok Lan and I... had some good times. Maybe sneak in another round with her sometime. And at night, holding Yong-hwa and Guan Yu. I was thrilled with my budding harem life.
"Yuan Shu?! That bastard?! Argh... what a scumbag."
Zhang Fei exploded immediately.
"He still can't let go of Xuzhou. A greedy man with an army sows chaos in the land."
Zhao Yun looked troubled too.
"Fortunately, Yuan Shu and Sun Jian have fallen out. But I heard from wandering merchants that Sun Jian's building up serious power in Jiangdong."
Liu Bei said.
Sun Jian. The guy who'd normally hole up in Jiangdong scrapping around was bulking up now.
Anyway, after sharing the situation...
"Kim Gong. Any news on Lu Bu?"
Liu Bei asked.
"None. No signs of rebellion. Lu Bu even personally beheaded the spy... and no moves to recruit more troops."
As her watcher, even I was bored by it. What had Lu Bu eaten wrong?
"Hmm. I see."
Liu Bei looked relieved.
"Then our tasks for now: reclaiming land, repairing ruins, and keeping Yuan Shu in check."
"Yes!" "As Lord commands!"
It wasn't good, but not the worst, so the officials all cupped fists and cheered.
The meeting ended smoothly.
At that moment, I couldn't have predicted it.
That Sun Jian—whom I'd ranked below Yuan Shu—would sink his teeth into our throats.
At that time. Xiaopei's veranda.
"Lady Fengxian... do you have someone you love?"
Bu Yong-hwa calmly asked Yeo Po.
"..."
It was just sweet girl-talk, but Yeo Po sensed it with her skin.
This bitch is picking a fight. A woman far from warrior stock, yet radiating this aura. What was her deal? Yeo Po was flustered.
If someone picked a fight, she'd answer. That was Yeo Po's nature.
"Yeah. Kim. I like that man."
Yeo Po said coolly.
"Heehee. Liking a man with a proper wife... and saying it right in front of that wife. Western Liang folk are bold."
Bu Yong-hwa laughed.
"But everything has hierarchy. First wife is me, second is big sis Guan Yu. I asked Kim to stop at just us two. But he's a hero who loves women. Since he chases skirts... if more come, they'll be concubines."
Yong-hwa shrugged.
"Me as concubine, eh."
Yeo Po said, then picked up a bronze statue.
Women like this were common. They thought their husband's greatness matched their own.
Usually whores do that. Yeo Po inwardly spat a rude thought at her rival. Sleeping with a great warrior made them think they were on that level—mere mortals.
"Does that carry weight?"
I'll take what I want, even Kim. Flexing her will, Yeo Po aimed to crush Bu Yong-hwa's spirit with raw power.
Crunch!!!
She crumpled the nearby bronze statue with brute force. A threat: she could snap Yong-hwa's neck if she wanted.
"Heehee. You don't get it, do you."
But Bu Yong-hwa showed no fear, picking up the mangled elongated bronze.
What? This woman. Yeo Po had never seen such spirit even in men.
Crunch.
Bu Yong-hwa bent the bronze back straight, good as new.
What strength... Yeo Po panicked. She'd seemed fragile, but had insane power.
"I'm first wife. If Lady Fengxian wants Kim, you need my permission."
Bu Yong-hwa radiated quiet fury.
Xiongnu... The blonde hair gave it away. Warrior of warriors. Xiongnu blood.
Couldn't let her guard down. Yeo Po knew it.
"And..."
Bu Yong-hwa stroked her belly confidently, claiming victory.
"I'm the one who's conceived our family line."
Bu Yong-hwa smiled, caressing her belly.
"My periods stopped. When Gaga returns, I'll share the good news. Meant to keep it secret... but Lady Fengxian gets to hear first. Unintentionally."
Victory declared, just like that.
"Eek...!"
Childish provocation, but love narrows the mind. Yong-hwa having what she didn't fueled Yeo Po's rage.
"Argh...!! Don't get cocky!! Xiongnu bitch!!"
Yeo Po grabbed Bu Yong-hwa's hair in fury.
Grip!!
"Ugh...!"
Bu Yong-hwa felt her scalp yank, tears welling.
"Ngh... You're an outsider too!!!"
Bu Yong-hwa grabbed Yeo Po's hair and yanked hard.
"Aak!"
Even the great Lu Bu couldn't train her hair follicles. Tears welled for her too.
"Take!!!" "Let go!!" "Let go!!" "You bitch!!"
Bu Yong-hwa and Yeo Po tugged hair in a childish brawl. Yes, womanly warfare in its purest form.
People from Kim's base rushed in at the commotion.
"Lord!! What happened?!" "Lord?!"
Go Sun and Jang Liao burst in at Yeo Po's screams.
"Wh-what happened?! Madam?" "Madam!"
Gwang Yeom, Chun Seol, the old northerner, Guan He, and other Kim Squad members arrived.
"..."
All faces went slack seeing Yeo Po and Bu Yong-hwa truly grappling by the hair.
Anyway, back to Kim's POV.
Returning to Xiaopei, Bu Yong-hwa rushed and hugged me.
"Haha. Yong-hwa."
I hugged her back, patting her butt.
"Gaga."
Yong-hwa acted spoiled in my arms.
"Mm. Yong-hwa. But why's your hair such a mess..."
Like she'd fought a cat.
"Never mind that."
Yong-hwa glanced back.
"..."
Yeo Po glared down with a shit-eating expression.
"Gaga. My periods stopped... and I'm craving weird foods."
Yong-hwa whispered, kissing me.
"...What?!"
Guan Yu stared at Yong-hwa in shock.
I was stunned too.
"You mean..."
"Congrats, you're a daddy. Gaga."
Yong-hwa smiled brightly, rubbing noses.
"..."
Yeah. I was a dad. I was dazed by it.
That night.
"Me too... me too!! I'll get pregnant!!"
On the bed, Guan Yu mounted me with near-maniacal fervor, putting me through trials aplenty. The fate of a man with multiple wives, I suppose.
After that, my daily life in Xuzhou could be called happy.
Days: casual patrols with Lu Bu's army (aka surveillance). Evenings: play with wives, tuck them in, then study Sun Tzu's Art of War.
Thanks to Intelligence 50? I finally grasped basic formations.
├─ Basic tactical indicators visible in sight.
├─ Approximate stratagem success rates known. (Modified by Intelligence stat)
└─ Stratagem: Ambush mastered. ★
Finally got it.
Testing it, I looked at the forest beyond Xiaopei's walls.
⚔ All unit movement speed:-30%
👁 Visibility:-40%, Ambush possible
🔥 Fire attack success:+10%
Strategic options popped up instantly. This was the Strategist's Eye passive.
The game had forests, plains, deserts, etc. Commanders exploited terrain for unit efficiency. Essential for stratagems.
Ambush mastered too. Basic tactic: hide troops in woods, then strike. As old as humanity hunting mammoths.
Now, steadily work through Sun Tzu: fire attacks, deceptions, formations. I'd be a general with real brains.
All growth stems from rivalry.
Right now, I pictured my heart's rival, burning to beat her.
Zhang Fei's plump smile floated in my mind.
I may lack brains... but I won't lose to Zhang Fei...!!!
That resolve surged.
Same thickhead or not, I wouldn't lose to her!!
"Uoooh!! Zhang Fei!!! Wait for me!!!"
I ignited my will and dove into Sun Tzu.
"What... Gaga, what nonsense all of a sudden..."
Awakened Yong-hwa stared in disbelief.
"Well, Kim and Yide get along like that."
Naked beside Yong-hwa, Guan Yu nodded, seeming to buy it.